Finding a stud in these old walls feels like a game of hide and seek, and I’m usually losing. I’ve had a couple things fall—one was a heavy mirror that I was sure was anchored properly, but nope, plaster just crumbled around the screw. I’ve used toggle bolts for lighter stuff, and they’re decent, but I don’t totally trust them with anything really heavy. Ever try those old-school molly bolts? They’re a pain to install but sometimes grip better in crumbly plaster.
Load distribution in these old houses is a real headache. I’ve been there—tried to hang a big antique clock in my dining room, and the plaster just gave up on me. Ended up with a mess and a dented clock. I’ve had better luck with molly bolts than toggles, honestly, but you’re right—they’re fiddly and you only get one shot at getting them set right. The trick I’ve found is to use a combination: if I can catch even a sliver of a stud, I’ll anchor one side there and use a molly or toggle on the other. Not perfect, but it spreads the weight out a bit more.
I know some folks swear by those fancy “plaster washers,” but I haven’t noticed much difference. At the end of the day, nothing beats finding solid wood behind the wall... which, yeah, is like winning the lottery in these old places.
The trick I’ve found is to use a combination: if I can catch even a sliver of a stud, I’ll anchor one side there and use a molly or toggle on the other. Not perfect, but it spreads the weight o...
Nailed it with the “winning the lottery” bit—finding a stud in these walls feels like pure luck. I’ve also noticed that sometimes the old lath behind the plaster can be surprisingly sturdy, but it’s a gamble every time. Have you ever tried those expanding anchors that spread out behind the wall? I’ve had mixed results—sometimes they hold, other times they just chew up the plaster more. Honestly, I still end up tapping around with a finish nail, hoping for wood. The combo approach you mentioned makes a lot of sense, though.
Load Distribution Is a Headache Every Time
Yeah, I totally get what you mean about the lath sometimes being weirdly solid. I’ve run into that in a few of my older properties—sometimes you hit it and it feels like concrete, other times it just crumbles and you’re left with a gaping hole. Those expanding anchors are such a gamble... I’ve had them hold up a heavy mirror for years, then on another wall they just spin and tear everything up.
I’m with you on the finish nail trick. There’s something about that “thunk” when you finally find real wood that just feels right. Honestly, I wish there was some magic tool that could see through 100 years of weird wall construction. Even the fancy stud finders seem to get confused by old plaster and lath.
The combo method has saved me more than once, but I still get nervous hanging anything heavy unless I know at least one side is in a stud. Maybe it’s overkill, but I’d rather patch a few extra holes than have stuff come crashing down in the middle of the night...
Even the fancy stud finders seem to get confused by old plaster and lath.
Man, that’s the truth. I’ve got a drawer full of stud finders that are basically just expensive paperweights when it comes to these old houses. I’ve resorted to the “poke and pray” method more than I’d like to admit. Once had a towel bar rip out overnight—woke up thinking someone broke in. Now I’m religious about hitting at least one stud, even if it means patching a few extra holes. Better safe than sorry…